Lazio January signing could be set for new role with Maurizio Sarri

Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri is seeking a new box-to-box midfielder, and Reda Belahyane might be the unexpected answer to the call.

When the 66-year-old made his surprising return to Formello, he had expected to be handed a new midfielder who would complement Nicolo Rovella and Matteo Guendouzi in his 4-3-3 tactical system. Nevertheless, his wish has been denied by a transfer ban imposed by COVISOC, preventing the club from making any summer signings.

Therefore, Sarri will have to make do with those he has at his disposal, which could prompt him to improvise new solutions. It has been suggested that the manager could once again entrust his old pupil, Matias Vecino, with a prominent role, but the Uruguayan will turn 34 next month. As for Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, he has yet to prove his consistency.

But as La Lazio Siamo Noi points out, the head coach could turn to Belahyane, handing him a new role. The 21-year-old joined the Biancocelesti in January after catching the eye during his year at Hellas Verona. However, the youngster was sporadically used in his first six months in the Italian capital.

Belahyane has been considered an understudy for Rovella in the Regista since his arrival. However, with Danilo Cataldi back from his loan stint at Fiorentina, this role is more than covered, thus freeing the Moroccan to fill in a more advanced role.

As the source notes, Sarri has been testing Belahyane as a box-to-box midfielder in the first few days of pre-season, so it remains to be seen if the latter will manage to convince.